Michael Lakin was born and bred in South Derbyshire, UK. His early learning was basic but he always excelled in art. After leaving school he moved into engineering, becoming a manager, before he left to start his own business. Michael kept up art as a hobby and began to teach classes in Botanical Art to adults at Derby WAEA. Since then he has exhibited in London and other parts of the UK. He has a purpose-built studio next to his rural home, where he teaches and gives demonstrations throughout the year.

He is a full member of the Society of Botanical Artists (SBA) and a member of the Society of Floral Painters (SFP). He was awarded the Highly Commended Joyce Cummings Award for the portrait of Red Onions and he received a silver medal at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) London (April 2014) for paintings of the Lifecycle of the Newton Wonder Apple.